16 May 06
Originally posted by Conrau KIf I was asked to come to a smash, I'd hope there was harddrugs involved.
Has anyone here noticed that the standard to language is declining? Since the advent of the SMS boom, everyone seems to have abandoned conventional grammer and abolished spelling. Like the simple question, "are you coming to dinner" translates to "R U cuming 2 a smash*?" I was wondering if literacy standards were also diminishing in other countries too. In ...[text shortened]... mashed" is to be blind drunk. Maybe its the binge drinking thats causing it...
16 May 06
Originally posted by rook n rollYes, I agree that most have a long way to go, but at least they are trying to improve.
I'm sorry I have to disagree: I have made many calls to call-centres in India in the past year and with all due respect, I find their English unintelligible!
It is heavily accented and when it is clear, it is stilted and it sounds as if they try to ape the English of a very old-fashioned, stereotypically stuck-up Englishman (as they concentrate on notin ...[text shortened]... to sell them on....)
I think they are taught an English that is contrived and not relevant.
The Indians I have had dealings with at these call-centres are more intelligiblw to me than the native speakers from ,say, Liverpool or Glasgow.
17 May 06
Originally posted by Conrau KI guess we should pronounce "knight" as KA-nite so that there's a verbal distinction too then. Right? And what is the reason behind keeping the g and the h?
This has already been explained.
But just accept that we now pronounce the word knight as night. To avoid confusion between the word "night" and "knight" we have different spelling. This, as I think I had earlier conveyed, is the reason why the spelling should be retained.
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17 May 06
2 edits
Originally posted by rwingettI find your line of argument very hubristic. You assert that people have been squabbling about new generational declines and predicting an apocalyptic end to society for ages, and since no apolacypse has happened we should end debate. Has it occured to you that these apocalypses have not occured because people have been squabbling?
Is it possible that your argument consists of nothing more than unsubstantiated anecdotes?
I also have reason to believe that you did not read my earlier posts. People are more literate then society was 500 years ago. However, in light of recent technological developments, the language is changing and in hand with literature, is degenerating. While you might argue that the English language is in its peak condition, why let the standard decline further? In my country, blogs and soap-operas are recognised as legitimate literature to be examined in English classes....
Heres an editorial:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/english-lite-is-a-tragedy-for-students/2005/09/11/1126377201174.html
And a more in-depth report here
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/english/undergraduate/2185/Grammar%20Wars-%20article%20by%20Baden%20Eunson%202006.htm
Substantiated. 😉
I made this thread, because the state of the English language and of literature is becoming an increasinglly predominant subject in public discourse - I'm not the only one hysterical.
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17 May 06
Originally posted by AThousandYoungNot necassarily, I'm sure there were reasons for abandoning the archaic pronuciation (probably to rid the extra syllable). While I agree that the language needs refinement (maybe we dont need the "gh' in night or knight) but to what extent and in what way? I would also be concerned that changing the spelling of words too much might render older literature indecipherable.
I guess we should pronounce "knight" as KA-nite so that there's a verbal distinction too then. Right? And what is the reason behind keeping the g and the h?
18 May 06
Originally posted by Conrau KYou started this thread to make the point that grammatical (and spelling) standards are declining, yet in almost every post you make terrible errors in grammar and spelling.
Not necassarily, I'm sure there were reasons for abandoning the archaic pronuciation (probably to rid the extra syllable). While I agree that the language needs refinement (maybe we dont need the "gh' in night or knight) but to what extent and in what way? I would also be concerned that changing the spelling of words too much might render older literature indecipherable.
What point are you really trying to make? That we should all adhere to a high standard of English usage that you yourself appear to find too tiresome to bother with?
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19 May 06
1 edit
Originally posted by ivangriceI dont realy care if my grammer* or spelling is bad on this site. And does anyone really take this site as something serious?
You started this thread to make the point that grammatical (and spelling) standards are declining, yet in almost every post you make terrible errors in grammar and spelling.
What point are you really trying to make? That we should all adhere to a high standard of English usage that you yourself appear to find too tiresome to bother with?
My point is that not only is spelling and grammer declining, but it is declining on purpose. Literature is also being simplified in tact with spellng and grammer. I am not fussed with people accidentily using the word "their" instead of "there" but at when people completely abolish half the language and disregard the conventions of capital letters and full stops. I dont care if that happens on this site or on an SMS mobile. That's completely understandable. But I', concerned that its becoming the norm. And what is worse is when 20% of the population suddenly forgets how to write, cannot express their thoughts, and on the whole, fears anything too intellectual.
*Point out the grammatical errors. To date you have only demonstrated trivial spelling mistakes.
EDIT: Oops, better fix the spelling of "grammatical".
20 May 06
Originally posted by Conrau KIt is grammatically incorrect to start a sentence with "and". I think.
I dont realy care if my grammer* or spelling is bad on this site. And does anyone really take this site as something serious?
My point is that not only is spelling and grammer declining, but it is declining on purpose. Literature is also being simplified in tact with spellng and grammer. I am not fussed with people accidentily using the word "their" ins ...[text shortened]... ated trivial spelling mistakes.
EDIT: Oops, better fix the spelling of "grammatical".
20 May 06
Originally posted by Conrau KNo, it's you that has demonstrated the 'trivial' spelling mistakes.
*Point out the grammatical errors. To date you have only demonstrated trivial spelling mistakes.
To be honest, your posts are so riddled with poor English usage that I really can't be bothered to highlight it all - what purpose would it serve? I'm not sure you'd understand the points I would raise anyway...